The Billionaire's Longshot: Betting on You Series: Book Three by Jeannette Winters Page A

but if he had, she most likely wouldn’t have agreed to show up, and he would be hosting the whole thing alone. This was going to be the longest twenty-four hours of his life. Everything in him screamed, get in your helicopter and get the hell out of here . One thing stopped him: Jill. She was arriving first thing in the morning with Lizette and Jon. Besides, he had a special plan for them afterward, and he had no intention of missing it. Throughout the week, he had spoken with her a few times. Her passion for life was catching . . . well, except when he was in Napa Valley. He wanted to see her. She lit something in him he hadn’t realized was dormant, if it had even existed before. Have I ever felt like this for a woman? She was driven, fun, intelligent, and he felt alive just talking to her. On the way to her apartment, he sensed her pulling away a little. Was she not as interested in him as he was in her? Their kiss had caused his blood to heat, and it had taken every ounce of restraint to not reach into her sexy-as-hell dress and take her nipple into his mouth. How I want to taste her. Soon, Whitman. Soon.
    “Roosevelt. Are you there?” His mother’s screeching voice echoed through the valley.
    Both men smiled, and his father said, “Good luck, son. I think I’ll take another walk through to check everything.”
    Some things never change.
    A private jet was followed by a helicopter ride over the most amazing landscape she had ever seen. Miles of rolling hills were lined with what she could only imagine were the best grapes around. As they approached the landing pad she saw a vehicle waiting for them. Her heart skipped a beat. Please be Ross. She’d spoken to him a few times on the phone after their date, and she was looking forward to seeing him again.
    She was the first to exit when the doors opened and quickly made her way to the car. Disappointment filled her as it became apparent Ross wasn’t in the vehicle. Now joined by Jon and Lizette, a distinguished man in his mid-fifties got out of the car and greeted them.
    “Welcome.”
    Jon extended his hand. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Whitman.”
    “Call me Jefferson. Jon Vinchi, if I remember correctly.”
    Jon nodded.
    “No beer I assume?” Jefferson asked with a warning grin.
    Smiling, Jon replied, “No, sir.”
    “Good. It’s bad for business,” he joked. “And who are these lovely ladies with you?”
    “This is my fiancée, Lizette Burke, and her friend, Jill Aragao.”
    “Nice to meet you both.” Then he turned to Jill and said, “My son regrets he could not meet you himself, but his mother has requested his help with some of the final arrangements. The guests should be arriving in a few hours, so he asked me to meet you.”
    “Totally understandable. Thank you.” At least the excuse took away some of the sting. She wanted to give him heck for not being there, but she didn’t doubt there was a lot to do. She had seen the white tents from the air. This was going to be grand, and it was going to take all hands on deck to pull it off. She was relieved to know he was handling things until she arrived. She’d spoken to him a few times on the phone, and for the most part, it was only to discuss the fundraiser. Once they finalized the details he had actually been extremely helpful. It appeared that the aloof, too-busy-to-talk-to-her businessman was gone. In fact, she found it easy to get the results she was looking for. Maybe too easy. No matter what, it looked like they made a good team. She wasn’t ready to admit it out loud, but she was looking forward to seeing him again. Maybe this was the start of something new.
    “Let me show you to the guesthouse. From there you will be able to make your way to the main reception area through the garden.”
    The guesthouse was huge. If this was for guests, she couldn’t imagine what the main house looked like. Exploring was not an option at this time. She needed to get out there and give Ross a hand.